PATIENTS at the new Colne Health Centre have raised concerns about the temperature of the building during the recent heatwave.

Visitors to the Craddock Road health centre have reported “excessive heat” and claim that despite the building being fully equipped with air conditioning, it was not switched on.

Two patients who spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph said when they asked staff about the air conditioning they were told staff were not allowed to switch it on.

A patient of the Richmond Hill GP Practice said she had visited her doctor twice in the past two weeks and on both occasions found the temperature to be extremely high.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Colne said: “It was disgusting — a brand new building that has air conditioning but switches it off in that heat. They had the windows was open — just a little, for safety reasons I guess — but it had very little effect.

“The Richmond Hill surgery was absolutely roasting and the poor doctor had a fan blowing on her to keep her cool.

“These doctors do a brilliant job and they shouldn't have to work in such conditions.”

Nobody at the health centre could explain why the air conditioning was not switched on but a spokesman for NHS Property Services who own the building said there was no rule to stop staff turning it on.

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The spokesman said: “Colne Health Centre utilises a number of systems to reduce overheating, including mechanical ventilation, supplying fresh air via openings in the ceiling, air conditioning and the availability of opening windows. All our new buildings undergo a heating assessment to ensure temperatures are kept at a comfortable level.

“Nevertheless, the recent increased temperatures can have an impact on the air flow in our health centres and we are working hard to address any issues and will continue to monitor the situation closely. We apologise to anyone who may have experienced some discomfort or inconvenience.”

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Comments (4)

I too visited the new health centre a couple of times last week and was appalled by the heat in there! The staff said that the air conditioning unit had been de-commissioned! As it cost too much to use! The poor staff and patients had to suffer conditions that were surely breaking the law! Maybe NHS property services are trying too claw back money for the build of the new centre ? But they need to sort out these issues and sort out when the re-location of the Colne health centre consortium pharmacy is going to happen ! The pharmacy and staff are still stuck across at the old site that is rotting around them! They should be ashamed of themselves it is all to do with contracts and them wanting an excessive amount just for the pharmacy to re-locate!

I too visited the new health centre a couple of times last week and was appalled by the heat in there! The staff said that the air conditioning unit had been de-commissioned! As it cost too much to use! The poor staff and patients had to suffer conditions that were surely breaking the law! Maybe NHS property services are trying too claw back money for the build of the new centre ? But they need to sort out these issues and sort out when the re-location of the Colne health centre consortium pharmacy is going to happen ! The pharmacy and staff are still stuck across at the old site that is rotting around them! They should be ashamed of themselves it is all to do with contracts and them wanting an excessive amount just for the pharmacy to re-locate!Catty girl

I too visited the new health centre a couple of times last week and was appalled by the heat in there! The staff said that the air conditioning unit had been de-commissioned! As it cost too much to use! The poor staff and patients had to suffer conditions that were surely breaking the law! Maybe NHS property services are trying too claw back money for the build of the new centre ? But they need to sort out these issues and sort out when the re-location of the Colne health centre consortium pharmacy is going to happen ! The pharmacy and staff are still stuck across at the old site that is rotting around them! They should be ashamed of themselves it is all to do with contracts and them wanting an excessive amount just for the pharmacy to re-locate!

Score: 5

POW WOW says...8:46pm Tue 29 Jul 14

That's the Nationalised NHS for you when the Utility companies have been privatised !!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the Nationalised NHS for you when the Utility companies have been privatised !!!!!!!!!!!!POW WOW

That's the Nationalised NHS for you when the Utility companies have been privatised !!!!!!!!!!!!

Score: 4

Dave from Colne says...11:30pm Tue 29 Jul 14

Well I too had an appointment there last week at the Colne Family Doctors, top floor. All windows were open with fresh air coming through and found it quite acceptable. I cannot see how it could get so warm with the waiting area being so spacious. Wasn't too warm in the treatment room either. I'm puzzled by the readers comments made so far?

Well I too had an appointment there last week at the Colne Family Doctors, top floor. All windows were open with fresh air coming through and found it quite acceptable. I cannot see how it could get so warm with the waiting area being so spacious. Wasn't too warm in the treatment room either. I'm puzzled by the readers comments made so far?Dave from Colne

Well I too had an appointment there last week at the Colne Family Doctors, top floor. All windows were open with fresh air coming through and found it quite acceptable. I cannot see how it could get so warm with the waiting area being so spacious. Wasn't too warm in the treatment room either. I'm puzzled by the readers comments made so far?

Score: 0

Pan-cake says...11:34pm Tue 29 Jul 14

There has been a similar problem at the new Great Harwood Health Centre - with similar reasons given for the air con not being switched on. Looks like an NHS Property Services conspiracy - perhaps a wee bit of investigative journalism her for the LT?

There has been a similar problem at the new Great Harwood Health Centre - with similar reasons given for the air con not being switched on.
Looks like an NHS Property Services conspiracy - perhaps a wee bit of investigative journalism her for the LT?Pan-cake

There has been a similar problem at the new Great Harwood Health Centre - with similar reasons given for the air con not being switched on. Looks like an NHS Property Services conspiracy - perhaps a wee bit of investigative journalism her for the LT?

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